Abstract: A combustion aid for internal combustion engines featuring a sleeve having a forward end relative to a combustion chamber with a frusto-conical interior surface. A plurality of circumferentially spaced passages in an annular zone so that the passages are angled inwardly and rearwardly to promote gas swirling. The sleeve is adapted to receive a spark plug and distribute the flame from the spark uniformly into a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine.

Abstract: An auxiliary transfer passage is offset from the trajectory along which fuel is injected so as to be located downstream of the trajectory with respect to the direction of swirl within the swirl chamber and which is sized to have a cross-sectional area with respect to the main transfer passage and the cylinder bore in which the main combustion chamber is defined so as to simultaneously minimize smoke and NO.sub.x formation.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine in which each cylinder or combustion volume includes a separate ignition chamber which communicates with the main combustion chamber through a relatively narrow channel or channels. The combustible mixture is delivered to the separate chamber exclusively through these channels by the compressive action of the piston and is ignited there by a suitable electrical spark, for example. There is no additional admission of fuel or fuel mixture to the separate ignition chamber. The channel or channels terminate in the ignition chamber in such a manner, for example, tangentially, that one or more vortices are generated in the chamber prior to ignition. The channels are so oriented that the emerging igniter flames are directed to potential hot cells in the main combustion chamber where auto-ignition could occur.

Abstract: An apparatus for igniting lean fuel-air mixtures and wherein a preferably insertable ignition chamber is provided in the wall of an internal combustion engine, which ignition chamber communicates with the main combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine via a plurality of channels. At least one of the channels serves the purpose of delivering a portion of the fresh mixture entering from the main combustion chamber into the first ignition chamber in a direct stream into the rear portion thereof, remote from the combustion chamber, of the first ignition chamber.

Abstract: A torch ignition type internal combustion engine has an auxiliary combustion chamber connected by a torch passage to a compact main combustion chamber. A cavity in the cylinder head forming a part of the main combustion chamber is provided with two intake valves on one side of the cavity and one exhaust valve on the other side. A large squish area is formed between the upper surface of the piston and the lower surface of the cylinder head and one or more suction conduits connect this squish area to the torch passage between its ends. Two torch passages may be provided; one may extend into the cavity near the exhaust valve and the other into the cavity near the remote intake valve. A plug chamber receives the spark plug electrodes and this chamber is in communication with both the auxiliary combustion chamber and the torch passage. In one form of the invention one torch passage extends from the lower end of the auxiliary combustion chamber and the other torch passage extends from the plug chamber.

Abstract: An internal combustion piston engine of the torch ignition type employs an auxiliary combustion chamber connected by a torch passage to a compact main combustion chamber. A spark plug has electrodes located adjacent the upstream end of the torch passage and remote from the intake valve for the auxiliary combustion chamber. At least one suction conduit intersects the torch passage between its ends and extends from a peripheral zone of the main combustion chamber. This zone may comprise a squish zone which increases flow of air-fuel mixture into the torch passage to follow the torch flame into the main combustion chamber. A cavity in the engine head may receive the torch flame from one or more torch passages.

Abstract: A spark-ignition type internal combustion engine having a precombustion chamber auxiliary to the variable volume space in the engine cylinder between the piston and cylinder head. Fuel injected into air in the chamber and fuel-laden air initially entering this chamber from the variable volume space, pursuant to the compression stroke of the piston, form a mixture compressed into a discrete reliably spark-ignitable air-fuel mass within a portion of the chamber where such mass envelops igniter electrodes. A vestibule portion of the chamber causes air, or air mixed with fuel in quantity determinative of engine power output, forced from said space to enter the chamber in a manner compressing and retaining the air-fuel mass in its enveloping relation with the electrodes until ignition occurs.

Abstract: Internal combustion reciprocating-piston engine precombustion chamber in which a mass of air or of air mixed with selective amounts of fuel and a spark-ignitable air-fuel mass are relatively segregatively compressed with the latter mass enveloping spark electrodes preparatory to ignition. The chamber is provided by recessing the air intake valve of an engine cylinder into the air intake passage for that cylinder so the chamber forms a section of that passage between the valve and the variable volume space above the piston in the cylinder. Contaminant products of combustion residual in the precombustion chamber upon completion of each combustion stroke are, during the next air intake stroke, vented into the cylinder variable volume space where they become mixed with the fresh intake air and any fuel entrained therein and then forced with this air back into the chamber pursuant to the ensuing compression stroke to be recycled during the next combustion stroke.

Abstract: An ignition plug for an internal combustion engine, and an internal combustion engine provided therewith, has first and second ignition chamber parts communicating with one another, an electrode supported on an insulator and a mass electrode and at least one overflow passage arranged to communicate with a main combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine with an ignition chamber of the ignition plug, wherein the overflow passage is open directly into the second ignition chamber part from an end wall bounding the first ignition chamber part and is located inside an inner parallel surface of a circumferential wall of the second ignition chamber part.

Abstract: Internal combustion reciprocating-piston engine precombustion chamber in which a mass of air or air mixed with selective amounts of fuel and a spark-ignitable air-fuel mass are segregatively compressed with the latter mass enveloping spark electrodes preparatory to ignition. The chamber is provided by recessing the air intake valve of an engine cylinder into the cylinder head so that this chamber forms a section of the main air intake passage for the cylinder. Air deflecting means is provided in a vestibule of the chamber in a manner to create a vortex of air forced from the cylinder through the vestibule internally of the chamber pursuant to the compression stroke of the cylinder's piston, and, without incurring significant resistance to the flow of air delivered through the air intake passage into the cylinder pursuant to the preceding air intake stroke of the piston.

Abstract: A method for igniting lean fuel-air mixtures and an apparatus for performing this method are described, wherein a preferably insertable ignition chamber is provided in the wall of an internal combustion engine, which ignition chamber communicates with the main combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine via a plurality of channels. At least one of the channels serves the purpose of delivering a portion of the fresh mixture entering from the main combustion chamber into the first ignition chamber in a direct stream into the rear portion thereof, remote from the combustion chamber, of the first ignition chamber.

Abstract: An improved diesel combustion chamber of the prechamber type wherein a dual opening passage connecting the main and precombustion chambers has a large area base section below the dual openings to the prechamber and a restricted venturi between the base section and the outlet to the main chamber. In a preferred embodiment, narrowed channels in the head and piston connect with the narrowed outlet of the prechamber passage to aid further penetration across the main chamber of gas forced out through the venturi by increased pressures and combustion in the prechamber and the wide passage base portion.

Abstract: Precombustion chamber construction in a cylinder head of a diesel engine utilizing ceramic material to increase resistance to thermal stresses. A space is provided between the precombustion chamber construction and the cylinder head at least at the main combustion chamber of the diesel engine, and one or more ceramic bodies are shielded from the metal cylinder head and any other metal by thermal insulation to minimize thermal stresses and enable combustion in the precombustion chamber to take place at a higher temperature whereby the power/weight ratio and the efficiency of the engine are improved. The precombustion chamber construction in one embodiment is composed of axially successive parts, and at least the part nearest the main combustion chamber is made of the ceramic material and shielded as indicated.

Abstract: A diesel type prechamber has a centrally located heated tubular member supplied internally with hot air through a secondary throat or transfer passage, the air vaporizing the fuel sprayed against the outer surface of the hot member and also mixing with the vaporized fuel upon passage of the air through transpiration holes in the member.

Abstract: An ignition chamber unit to be arranged on a main combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine has walls forming a separate ignition chamber having a first wall which separates the ignition chamber from the main combustion chamber and has at least one passage arranged in the first wall to connect the ignition chamber with the combustion chamber, a center electrode provided in the ignition chamber and forming together with the first wall a spark gap and also having a free end which extends into the ignition chamber, wherein the electrode is hollow near the free end and is formed as a heat pipe, and an insulator with an insulator shoe which extends into the ignition chamber and supports the center electrode so that the insulator together with the insulator shoe forms an insulating gap.

Abstract: In a four stroke cycle internal combustion engine, a combustion chamber is disposed above the cylinder head and is connected by a passage to the piston chamber. The piston at its top dead center almost contacts the cylinder head. Inlet and outlet valves and spark plug means are associated with the top portion of the combustion chamber. The injecting device protrudes into the combustion chamber and is upwardly directed. The combustion chamber is surrounded by another chamber, which communicates with the combustion chamber through slots, which open into the top portion of the combustion chamber. The lower portion of the surrounding chamber communicates through openings with the combustion chamber. The openings are smaller in cross-section than the slots so that the explosive gases flow from the combustion chamber into the surrounding chamber and flow back through the openings into the surrounding chamber. This results in turbulence and mixing as in a cyclone so that a good combustion is ensured.

Abstract: An ignition chamber device is described which has an elongated, rotationally symmetrical form. The wall of the ignition chamber which protrudes into the main combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine has a coaxial overflow conduit embodied by a nozzle and radially extending discharge conduits which extend into the annular chamber which surrounds the nozzle. The ignition chamber is provided with an ignition device which has a central electrode that leads from the outside into the interior and by means of this central electrode the ignition voltage is carried via a conductor path, disposed in the wall, to a wall location opposite the nozzle, from where the ignition spark can leap the gap. A heat pipe is disposed in the nozzle and includes a portion arranged in close proximity to the cylinder wall, which prevents the ignition chamber from becoming overheated and on the other hand also enables the inflowing mixture to be heated up in optimal fashion on the way to the ignition location.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine with externally supplied ignition is proposed, in which besides a main combustion chamber an ignition chamber is provided, which communicates with the main combustion chamber via a central discharge channel, which is disposed coaxially with the axis of the ignition chamber, and via additional discharge channels distributed about this discharge channel. Protruding into the coaxially disposed overflow channel is an electrode extending through the ignition chamber, this electrode being embodied as a heat pipe and forming a spark gap with the wall of the ignition chamber in the region of the overflow channel. As a result of its embodiment as a heat pipe, the electrode is protected against excessive heating and is simultaneously held to an optimal temperature.

Abstract: An air-compressing internal combustion engine which includes a cylinder block, a plurality of cylinders in the cylinder block, a piston reciprocably mounted in the respective cylinders, and a cylinder head disposed on the cylinder block. A precombustion chamber is arranged in the cylinder head and associated with the respective cylinders and a number of approximately radially extending burner holes are provided around a periphery of an end of the precombustion chamber. A depression is arranged in the head of each of the pistons and stellate depressions emanate from the depression in the cylinder head. Each of the stellate depressions ascend continuously in a radially outward direction and a further substantially axially extending burner hole is provided at the end of the precombustion chamber.

Abstract: A detachable auxiliary precombustion chamber for an internal combustion engine is adapted to fit into the spark plug bore of the cylinder head and to receive a spark plug in an open bore thereof, and includes flame distributing means projecting into the combustion chamber of the engine and including a distributing cap adapted to distribute and direct flame from the precombustion chamber across the axis of the cylinder throughout the engine combustion chamber.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine is proposed with combustion chambers, comprising a main combustion chamber and an ignition chamber, the latter being connected to the main combustion chamber by at least one spill port, for the purpose of improving the ignitability of a relatively lean fuel mixture of an internal combustion engine. In this connection, the ignition chamber forms an elongated, closed cylinder wherein terminate spill ports from the main combustion chamber essentially radially and tangentially to the cylindrical wall of the ignition chamber, so that a turbulence is created in the medium introduced via the spill ports along the cylindrical walls of the ignition chamber, with a secondary swirl flowing back in the center. Thereby, a satisfactory separation of the freshly introduced medium from the residual gases remaining in the ignition chamber after the combustion is attained, thus providing optimum conditions for the ignition of the fuels utilized for operating the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine having an ignition chamber forming a closed circular cylinder and communicating via at least one transfer channel with a main combustion chamber with the ignition chamber cylindrical wall being controlled by means of an annular thermal pipe to a virtually constant, high temperature and protected against a rapid cooling toward cooled parts of the internal combustion engine and against overheating. An ignition device inserted into the ignition chamber, with an electrode, forms a spark gap toward the cylindrical wall of the ignition chamber in the region between the middle of the ignition chamber and the transfer channels. To improve the stability of the electrode, the electrode is provided with a heat conductor so as to provide more severely leaning of the fuel-air mixture to be ignited while avoiding glow sparking and reducing the emission of noise.

Abstract: Stratified charge four-stroke-cycle internal combustion engine with fuel injection and spark-ignition of the type wherein stratification and initial combustion occurs in a combustion chamber auxiliary to the variable volume space in the engine cylinder between the piston and the cylinder head. Unique aspirating passage means communicating between the auxiliary chamber and the variable volume space conducts and causes air entering the chamber at one end, pursuant to the piston's compression stroke, to form a substantially non-turbulent air column rotating about the chamber axis and acretively compressed, by continued entry of air, toward and against the opposite end of the chamber. Fuel is injected into air initially in the chamber and that initially entering through the aspirating passage to mix with such air to form a spark-ignitable air-fuel mixture compressed against said other chamber end.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine operating with self-ignition which is equipped with a main combustion space including a piston recess and with an auxiliary chamber arranged in the cylinder head an injection nozzle is coordinated to the auxiliary chamber while the chamber includes an insert forming an overflow channel provided with several discharge holes terminating in the main combustion space. The discharge holes are matched as regards their direction and cross section to the main combustion space-air volume component to be seized or impinged upon by the respective jet passing through the corresponding discharge hole. The discharge holes are thereby proportional in cross section to the main combustion space-air volume component located in front thereof when the piston is in a position corresponding to the center point of the full-load heat-release curve and are directed toward the center of gravity of the respective main combustion space-air volume component.

Abstract: A precombustion type diesel engine having a modified and improved flame cup and precombustion chamber arrangement wherein a single side-opening passage in the floor of the flame cup is provided with dual throats connecting with the prechamber. The primary opening or throat controls swirl development during gas inflow to the prechamber while the secondary opening or throat allows early discharge of initial combustion products to the main combustion chamber for improved secondary mixing and reduced particulate emissions.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine comprising an auxiliary chamber connected to a main chamber via a connecting passage. A raised portion is formed on the inner wall of the auxiliary chamber. The auxiliary chamber is divided into a first chamber and a second chamber. The connecting passage is tangentially connected to the inner wall of the second chamber at a position opposite to the raised portion with respect to the axis of the auxiliary chamber. A fuel injector having a pair of injection nozzles is arranged in the first chamber. One of the injection nozzles is directed to the tip of the raised portion. The other nozzle is directed to the inner wall of the auxiliary chamber, which is located at a position opposite to the raised portion with respect to the axis of the auxiliary chamber.

Abstract: An air-compressing injection internal combustion engine with a main combustion space arranged in the piston and with an auxiliary chamber equipped with an injection nozzle and with a glow plug, which is in continuous communication with the main combustion space by way of a channel-shaped constriction. The pressure chamber of the auxiliary chamber is thereby disposed eccentrically in relation to the injection nozzle and the constriction while the injection nozzle injects with a first jet into the constriction and with a second jet in the direction or into the area near the glow plug which is located in the eccentrically offset part of the pressure chamber.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine in which each cylinder or combustion volume includes a separate ignition chamber which communicates with the main combustion chamber through a relatively narrow channel or channels. The combustible mixture is delivered to the separate chamber exclusively through these channels by the compressive action of the piston and is ignited there by a suitable electrical spark, for example. There is no additional admission of fuel or fuel mixture to the separate ignition chamber. The channel or channels terminate in the ignition chamber in such a manner, for example, tangentially, that one or more vortices are generated in the chamber prior to ignition. The channels are so oriented that the emerging igniter flames are directed to potential hot cells in the main combustion chamber where auto-ignition could occur.

Abstract: A flaming engine system for an internal combustion engine of the Otto-cycle type comprises primary and secondary pre-ignition chambers serially interposed between an engine cylinder and a spark plug, and self-actuated of means metering high combustible fuel into the primary pre-ignition chamber. The flame commenced in the primary pre-ignition chamber is enhanced and promoted as it is caused to pass into the secondary pre-ignition chamber, then through geometrically designed openings and into the cylinder for ignition of the base-air-fuel mixture contained within the cylinder.

Abstract: An internal combustion piston engine has a prechamber or auxiliary chamber associated with each main combustion chamber and connected thereto by a plurality of torch openings. Ignition of a relatively rich mixture in the auxiliary chamber causes flames to be projected through the torch openings to ignite the relatively lean mixture in the main combustion chamber. A plurality of torch openings are provided between the auxiliary combustion chamber and the main combustion chamber and are positioned such that they direct torch flame both toward the valves in the main combustion chamber as well as towards the region of the main combustion chamber remote from the valves.